Hungary seeks to speed up Serbia’s accession to the EU

Minister Szijjarto met Serbian Minister for European Integration Tanja Miscevic in the capital Budapest, and then the two ministers held a joint press conference.

Stating that the European integration of the Western Balkan countries is in the interest of the whole of Europe, Szijjarto said: “The integration of the Western Balkans region is not only in the national security and national economic interest of Hungary, but also in the interest of the whole of Europe.” saying.

Noting that Serbia’s membership in the EU, which is the largest country in the Western Balkans region, is very important, Szijjarto stressed that Serbia’s EU membership process is progressing very slowly and needs to be speeded up.

Szijjarto expressed that Serbia’s membership in the EU will contribute to the EU in terms of physical, economic and energy supply, and reacted to other member states that delayed Serbia’s membership in the EU.

Referring to the economic relations between the two countries, Szijjarto said that the bilateral trade volume between Serbia and Hungary increased by 68 percent last year, reaching 6 billion euros.

Noting that Serbia plays an important role in his country’s energy security, Szijjarto claimed that 5 billion cubic meters of natural gas was delivered to Hungary via Serbia in 2022.

Tanja Miscevic, on the other hand, said that Hungary’s support for her country’s membership in the EU is very important.

Stating that they condemned the attack on Ukraine, Miscevic said that his country continues to support Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

Miscevic said that they have taken various measures in power supply and his country has taken necessary measures to bring electricity from Azerbaijan to Europe.

Stating that they have taken some steps regarding the rule of law, Miscevic added that reforms are continuing to achieve the goal of EU membership. (AA)